Virginia M. “Ginny” Ness (Schlepp), 78

Virginia M. “Ginny” Ness (Schlepp) passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. She was born to John and Mathilda Schlepp on July 13, 1942 in Cohagen, Mont. She attended school in Cohagen and Jordan, Mont., graduating in 1959. She received her CNA certification, the first graduating class of CNAs, from Salish Kootenai College.

Ginny enjoyed playing pool and bowling. She was known to have more than one job at a time. She bartended, was a cherry and potato inspector, and she retired as a CNA home health provider.

Ginny married Gene Bell in August of 1960, and together they had five children. She is survived by four children: daughter Debbie Bell and her children, Chaney Bell (Echo) (8), Lester Couture (Alice) (5), Amy McKeever (5), Kyndra Collicott (Cris) (5), Jonathan Collicott (2), Jalen Bell (1); son David Bell (Susie) and his children, Cameron Bell (2), Warren James (1) and Brian James; daughter Deana Bell her children, Shana Brown (3), Alex Friedlander (5); and daughter Dawn Delay and her children, Roman Bell and Trevor Delay. She also is survived by 13 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by one brother, John Schlepp (Dee)

She was preceded in death by four siblings: Viola, Violet, Lydia and Lillian; one son, Douglas James Bell; three grandsons, Lester Couture, Roman Bell and Brian James; and two husbands, Gene Bell and Melvin Ness.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2021. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com. Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.